Latest news with #NorthernPaiute
San Francisco Chronicle
03-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
A Bay Area man's trip to Nevada explains why local skies are about to burst with illegal fireworks
With Independence Day approaching, Trevor did what he's done every year for the last decade. The 49-year-old Bay Area man rented a car and headed east. Four and a half hours later, he pulled into Bad Jack's Fireworks. 'You walk in the store and it's like a Walmart, but all fireworks,' he said of the nondescript warehouse on the Walker River Reservation in Schurz, Nev. Trevor, who asked to be identified by his first name only while acknowledging illegal conduct, represents an annual irritant to California officials seeking to cleanse the state of the bigger pyrotechnics that occasionally cause injuries and fires. Law enforcement agencies expend great effort to warn residents away from these products, only to see rockets and Roman candles flood in easily from Nevada and other places where they sell over-the-counter, then fill the night skies of cities from Livermore to Oakland to Santa Rosa. 'Probably 75% of the people in the store were from California,' Trevor said of Bad Jack's, chuckling. The sale completed, he hopped back into his car, returning across the border with about $1,100 worth of fireworks — enough, he said, for about three to four hours of entertainment at this year's cookout. Industry experts estimate that 13 stores immediately across the Nevada border account for at least 60% to 70% of the illegal fireworks used in the Golden State, where possession or sale of the devices is illegal without a special permit. In many parts of Nevada, as in California, fireworks are strictly regulated. But the stores popular with people like Trevor sell Class 1.4 G grade fireworks, which are legal under federal law but barred everywhere in California. And in a few places in Nevada, such as a specially approved 'shooter zone' in Pahrump, and on tribal reservations farther north, they are legal to set off. Nicole Varain, one of Bad Jack's owners, said in a phone interview that the store can't refuse to sell fireworks to Californians, because anyone can legally come onto the Walker River Reservation — home to the Northern Paiute people — and buy and set them off. The reservation has several launch sites, and many visitors come for an overnight fireworks display for Independence Day, she said. 'Everybody comes out here,' she said. Before his annual runs to Nevada, Trevor used to buy 'off the street,' until he realized it would be cheaper to cut out the middleman. The admission would probably make many Bay Area police officers, firefighters and quiet-seeking residents cringe. 'Fireworks are dangerous for a whole host of reasons,' said sheriff's Sgt. Phil Hallworth of San Mateo County, where even 'safe and sane' products like sparklers and fountains are banned in most jurisdictions, in part due to wildfire risk. 'While they may be thrilling to some, (they are) distressing to others.' Hallworth urged residents to attend county-sponsored celebrations. For those who plan to use fireworks in areas that allow them, he said, 'Just use some common sense. Keep a water hose handy, or a bucket. Never be afraid to call 911, if you see someone using illegal fireworks or if a fire does happen.' Every summer, San Francisco police officers are dispatched to hundreds of reports of fireworks, an average of more than 300 per month in June and July, according to a 2023 report from the city's civil grand jury. 'The San Francisco firework explosions booming around the city,' the report said, 'are more likely from fireworks that are illegal in California but which are for sale in the neighboring state of Nevada.' In recent weeks, police in San Francisco and Alameda County have seized thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks while making a spate of arrests. Last week in Alameda, where all fireworks are prohibited, police officers responded to a tip about fireworks sales at a storage facility. They reported discovering a unit crammed with more than 1,500 illegal goods. The stash included professional-grade explosives such as spinners, fountains, rockets and artillery shells, said Capt. Alan Kuboyama. He said detectives were trying to determine the source and intent for the fireworks, and that no arrests had been made. 'If we are able to make an arrest, we will focus on identifying their supplier so we can stop the inflow of illegal fireworks,' Kuboyama said in an email. Also last week, San Francisco police stopped a motorist driving a stolen U-Haul van in the Bayview neighborhood and discovered 'hundreds of illegal fireworks, including various rockets and barrel bombs,' according to a department news release. The driver, 38, was arrested on suspicion of auto theft charges, fireworks possession and 26 counts of illegal possession of explosives. SFPD Chief Paul Yep said the seized cache of fireworks could have caused 'untold destruction' in the city. This Tuesday afternoon, a similar incident played out in the Mission, after two San Francisco Sheriff's deputies received a notification about another stolen U-Haul van. Stop in Bayview of stolen @uhaul truck via @Flock_Safety hit leads to arrest of driver & passenger & seizure of 1,648 pounds of illegal fireworks w/help of @SFPD bomb squad, per @SheriffSF — Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) July 3, 2025 Deputies found the van in the Bayview and stopped it, arresting its driver and another person, who were accused of 36 felony offenses. Members of SFPD's bomb squad then recovered 1,648 pounds of explosives from the back of the truck. 'At this time of year, no one is going to put a bunch of illegal fireworks in their minivan,' said John Ramirez, chief deputy at the San Francisco Sheriff's Office. 'It makes sense that they would use a stolen vehicle to transport these sorts of things.' Trevor, meanwhile, said he hadn't been worried about getting stopped by police while on his return trip from Bad Jack's. 'I don't drive crazy,' he said. 'Why would I get pulled over?' Anna Bauman contributed to this story.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Five Native businesses to consider for that last-minute gift
Shondiin MayoICT With Valentine's Day coming up on Friday, you might be looking for a last-minute gift idea or perhaps an idea on where to shop for your significant other's birthday or anniversary. Here are five Native-owned businesses to consider next time you're looking for a gift. Sequoia Soaps In 2002, Michaelee Lazore, a Kanien'kehá:ka and Northern Paiute, transitioned from her engineering career to establish Sequoia Soaps. This enterprise is entirely owned and managed by Indigenous women. Lazore initiated Sequoia due to the lack of locally produced products from Indigenous companies that met her needs. Its products include soaps, candles, body care items such as lotions, mists, and lip balms, as well as gift sets like gift cards, which can be bought online. Wer'erp Wesona Colleen Colegrove, a self-taught artist, finds inspiration in her Yurok and Dine heritage while running her business, We'erp Wesona. The name, meaning "butterfly in the sky," is a nod to her given name. As the owner, she creates jewelry from natural materials such as dentalium shells, abalone, elk antler, and porcupine quills. You can explore her work on Instagram @ or through her online store. NIHIDZILL Carissa Eich is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Information Technology at Arizona State University, where she showcases her Diné heritage through digital art. By integrating photography and graphic design, her creations emphasize modern elements of her culture, including infrastructure, attire, and signage. Eich's artwork is available online, and she can be followed on Instagram @nihidzill. JAYBAES Jaylein Kriska presents herself on her Instagram account (@jaybaesbeads) as an 'Athabascan creating jewelry and more.' Originating from Koyukuk, Alaska, she focuses on designing and producing a variety of beaded earrings and jewelry crafted from dentalium shells, beaver fur, fish skin, and moose skin. Her artistic work is influenced by the values, current challenges, and culture of her Native community. Kriska promotes her beaded items via Instagram, while her website features T-shirts that highlight her community, LandBack themes, and illustrations of traditional camps. Rez Streetwear Rez Streetwear, established by Susanna Osife in 2023, is dedicated to the mission of "embracing and uplifting Indigenous culture through design and fashion." While pursuing a degree in Business Administration and a certificate in digital media at Tohono O'odham Community College, Osife seeks to create a brand that honors cultural identity through streetwear. Her website features a range of tote bags adorned with designs such as "It's a good day to be Indigenous" and imagery that highlights the Akimel O'odham alongside a river backdrop. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter!
